Tarahumara - Marriage and Family

Marriage.
People who share a lineal ancestor theoretically cannot marry, but in
practice this prohibition usually extends only to second cousins because
genealogical connections seldom are remembered beyond three generations.
Many marriages are arranged, often by special marriage officials; only
the Tarahumara most influenced by Jesuit missionaries are married by
Catholic priests. Because interaction between unrelated men and women is
discouraged, young people often marry several times, until they find
compatible spouses, after which their marriages are stable. Polygyny
occurs but is rare. Young newlyweds usually move between their natal
households until they are economically independent.

Domestic Unit.
Households are composed of nuclear families, frequently extended to
include relatives of either spouse but seldom of both. Closely related
nuclear families often live near one another, sharing food and working
cooperatively.

Inheritance.
Children inherit equally from both parents. Spouses do not inherit from
one another, but surviving spouses often retain some property if there
are no surviving children or serve as trustees for property inherited by
their small children. During life, parents often give their children
livestock and (especially at marriage) fields so they can begin forming
separate economic bases.

Socialization.
Children enjoy considerable independence and are scolded but seldom
struck when they misbehave. A child's older siblings and
grandparents share child-rearing duties with the parents.
Industriousness, sharing, cooperation, and nonaggression are encouraged.
The Tarahumara have no initiation rites or formal educational
institutions; children are educated informally by participating in
household and community activities. Most children also attend government
or Jesuit primary schools, which somewhat disrupt traditional patterns
of cultural transmission.